Surfside had the cleanest water of the beaches that were tested in the Houston area, with only 3 percent of water samples exceeding the national BAV safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

According to a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act helps states and local governments develop monitoring programs to protect public health. Through these programs, local officials test beach water for bacteria and issue closings or advisories when bacteria levels exceed a certain threshold. The EPA recently issued a new Beach Action Value (BAV), which is a more protective threshold than the national allowable bacteria levels used in previous years to trigger beach advisories.

Surfside beach, Brazoria County

Surfside had the cleanest water of...

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25th Street, Galveston Island

10 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

25th Street, Galveston Island

10 percent of water samples exceeded...

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Quintana Beach, Freeport

11 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: Steve Ueckert, Staff

Quintana Beach, Freeport

11 percent of water samples exceeded the...

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Stewart Beach, Galveston Island

12 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: Todd Spoth, For The Chronicle

Stewart Beach, Galveston Island

12 percent of water samples exceeded...

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Indian Beach, Galveston Island

12 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Chronicle

Indian Beach, Galveston Island

12 percent of water samples exceeded...

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Dellanera Park, Galveston Island

12 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: Google Earth Screenshot

Dellanera Park, Galveston Island

12 percent of water samples...

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Jamaica Beach, Galveston Island

14 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Jamaica Beach, Galveston Island

14 percent of water samples exceeded...

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Rollover Pass West, between Bolivar and Galveston islands

15 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Rollover Pass West, between Bolivar and Galveston islands

15 percent...

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61st Street, Galveston Island

17 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: Galveston.com

61st Street, Galveston Island

17 percent of water samples exceeded...

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Galveston Island State Park, backside

20 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Staff

Galveston Island State Park, backside

20 percent of water samples...

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Texas City Dike

21 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: James Nielsen, Staff

Texas City Dike

21 percent of water samples exceeded the national...

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Port Bolivar Rettilon Road

22 percent of water samples exceeded the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

Port Bolivar Rettilon Road

22 percent of water samples exceeded the...

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Sylvan Beach

The water samples tested at Sylvan Beach in La Porte were among the worst in the state, with 26 percent of 80 samples exceeding the national safety threshold for enterococcus bacteria.